Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Plan, Turmoil
Using the Longevity Technique’s Heart Method, Fang Xing quickly entered a meditative state.
Within his body, the vitality and blood throughout began to stir, boiling as they coursed through his meridians.
Vitality transforming into Power!
The Demon Suppressing Power within him also began to convert.
Sitting cross-legged and holding his posture, he resembled an old monk deep in meditation.
An invisible Power enveloped the area around him.
More than half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
"Hooo—!"
Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Fang Xing slowly opened his eyes.
In over half a day, he had only just touched the threshold, completing the first step of his training.
To fully convert his Power and truly cross the threshold, he would still need a considerable amount of time.
But as long as he had taken the first step, the rest would be smooth sailing.
Cultivation could not be rushed.
Having just broken through to Neutralizing Force, he also needed some time to consolidate his new level.
Getting out of bed, Fang Xing went to get something to eat.
After eating and drinking his fill, he resumed his Cultivation.
...
Early the next morning, Fang Xing awoke.
He had cultivated the Longevity Technique yesterday, and after just one day, he could already feel a change in his Power.
Although it hadn’t all been converted into the Power of the Longevity Technique yet, he could feel a significant improvement even with just a portion converted.
’With my Neutralizing Force Cultivation, I wonder how many Enhancement Points I’ll get each day...’
Fang Xing summoned the panel and took a look.
Name: Fang Xing
Cultivation: Neutralizing Force
Enhancement Level: Two-Star (11%)
Enhancement Points: 3,966
’Eight points...’
’It’s doubled.’
’Not bad.’
Looking at the Enhancement Points on the panel, Fang Xing now had a clear idea.
Now that he was at the Neutralizing Force Level, he would get eight points per day.
In a month, he could get about 240 points.
It was twice as fast as accumulating them at the Dark Force level.
However, advancing during the Neutralizing Force Stage would consume even more resources.
The number of Enhancement Points required would also be much greater.
The daily accumulation wouldn’t add up to much.
Only the method of an Evil Cultivator would allow for rapid growth.
’I still have nearly four thousand points, which is enough to support my cultivation for a while. I don’t need to act rashly for now.’
After some thought, Fang Xing suppressed the idea.
With his current reserves, he had enough Enhancement Points to last, and besides, he needed some time to cultivate the Longevity Technique.
By the time he used them up, his strength would have reached a new level.
Moreover, the major powers in Qingshan County were all extremely vigilant right now, and the risks were high.
It was safer to lay low for now.
After this period of stability, he would come back and clean up the remaining factions.
Eliminating these dark forces would also make Qingshan County more stable.
As for the Five Great Forces, his current strength was insufficient.
Besides, moving against the Five Great Forces was no small matter.
Especially the three great families.
Their foundations ran incredibly deep.
...
「A few days passed quickly.」
The turmoil in Qingshan County gradually subsided.
However, the small and medium-sized factions remained on tenterhooks.
No one could guarantee they wouldn’t be the next to be eliminated.
They remained highly vigilant and extremely cautious.
But for the common people, this was actually good news. With no more gang fights, those who were usually arrogant and strutting about had toned it down considerably. For a time, public order in Qingshan County improved significantly.
...
Early morning. Tongfang District, Linxi Courtyard.
Inside, Fang Xing slowly opened his eyes.
In the past few days, he had completely converted his Power and mastered the basics of the Longevity Technique.
He had also consolidated his new realm.
After cultivating the Longevity Technique, his Power was several times greater than when he had first entered the Neutralizing Force realm.
His Power was far more abundant than that of an ordinary Martial Artist in the Early Stage of Neutralizing Force.
Mastering the basics of the Longevity Technique had also improved his physical condition.
At the same time, Fang Xing experienced the boost the Longevity Technique provided to his other Martial Arts.
With his Power converted, the Demon Suppression Skill could erupt with even greater might in his hands.
And the boost to his Wind God Step was even greater.
His Lightweight Skill had improved by a large margin.
The changes in just a few days were more astonishing than what other Neutralizing Force Martial Artists might see in several months.
After getting out of bed, eating breakfast, and washing up, Fang Xing went to the County Yamen.
Although his current status meant he didn’t have to go in every day, he still had to show his face from time to time.
As long as nothing major happened, he, the Chief Constable, didn’t need to worry about much.
Arriving at the County Yamen, Fang Xing went to inspect the various squad rooms.
Along the way, the Constables he encountered all saluted him.
Fang Xing nodded slightly.
After making a round of the four squad rooms, Fang Xing stopped a Constable.
"Is Lord Zhang in?"
The young Constable nodded. "Lord Fang, Lord Zhang is in the Inner Hall."
Fang Xing nodded and immediately headed for the Inner Hall.
He hadn’t come here today on a whim. He had matters regarding the Constables that he needed to discuss with the County Magistrate.
In the County Yamen’s Inner Hall, Fang Xing soon met the County Magistrate, Zhang Chen.
"My Lord." Seeing Zhang Chen, Fang Xing cupped his hands.
Zhang Chen was a bit surprised to see Fang Xing and said with a smile, "What brings you here today? Is something the matter?"
Fang Xing nodded and stepped forward. "My Lord, I do indeed have a matter I wish to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow, looked at him, and gestured with his hand. "Don’t just stand there. Sit down and talk."
"My Lord, I would like to reform the various squad rooms."
"Reform?"
Zhang Chen was slightly taken aback. Looking at Fang Xing, he asked, "How do you propose to reform them?"
Fang Xing looked at him and said, "My Lord, things are unstable outside, and the situation is getting more chaotic. I want to increase the number of Constables. This way, we can manage things better, and if we encounter any turmoil in the future, we can be prepared in advance."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen looked at him. "You’ve heard the news?"
??
Hearing Zhang Chen’s question, Fang Xing was taken aback for a moment.
Zhang Chen took a sip of tea, his expression serious. "The situation has indeed been unstable recently. There have been incidents in the surrounding counties, with numerous Evil Cults causing trouble. Qingchuan County was even attacked by a rebel army. Although they managed to fend them off with the Defense Army, they paid a heavy price."
"It’s not wrong of you to prepare for a rainy day. What are your specific plans?"
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Fang Xing was stunned.
He actually didn’t know much about the situation outside; increasing the number of Constables was merely to support his future cleanup plan.
Having entered the Neutralizing Force Realm and moved from the shadows into the light, he now had access to all sorts of information on the dark forces and a legitimate reason to act.
But he hadn’t expected to hear such news from Zhang Chen.
A rebel army and Evil Cults attacking a city.
Qingchuan County... if he remembered correctly, that was the county right next door.
Beyond Qingchuan lay the territory of Cang Province.
He knew a little about the situation in Cang Province, but he never expected the flames of war to spread so quickly to Jiang Province, and so close by.
’If this goes badly, they might even cross into Qingshan’s territory!’
His thoughts racing, Fang Xing quickly came back to his senses and looked at Zhang Chen. "My Lord, I plan to build on the four existing squad rooms. I propose a structure of one Constable and three deputies for each squad, and I’d also like to increase the number of men in each."
"One Constable, three deputies..."
"Yes, that’s no problem. What about the specific numbers? How many do you plan to add?"
"I’ve done the math," Fang Xing said. "In total, we’ll need to add about one to two hundred men."
"One to two hundred... then based on the original size, the total will be around three hundred. Hmm, you handle it. I approve," Zhang Chen said with a nod. "Just submit the report when the time comes. You can add more, too. Increasing it to four hundred is also fine."
"My Lord, if we increase the numbers by so much all at once... will the higher-ups agree?" Fang Xing asked hesitantly.
Zhang Chen looked at him and smiled faintly. "Before, there might have been obstacles, but the situation is different now. Strengthening local forces is a good thing for the higher-ups as well."
Hearing this, Fang Xing nodded, beginning to understand.
’Still, being able to add more Constables will make my future cleanup plan even better.’
’The more, the better!’
"One more thing. This can curb the development of certain forces. The turmoil in Qingchuan was an outbreak from both within and without."
Zhang Chen looked at him and added meaningfully.
